Reunified Germany is stronger than ever. Even the eastern Germany economy is on the up. But opinion polls still suggest that in both halves of the new republic there are reservations. It's two former East Germans - Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck - who occupy the highest offices in the land. But the massive influx of refugees looks set to bring dramatic changes. On the international stage Germany continues to attempt a difficult tightrope act...
The war in Syria has claimed the lives of a quarter of a million people. Millions have been displaced. They are fleeing IS terror. But mostly missile and bomb attacks by Assad's government forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin is now upping its military support for Assad. Putin is keen to promote himself in the West as an indispensable partner in the fight against terror...